Okulaja Returns to Familiar Setting

Okulaja's brother, Adekola, was in the crowd at the Smith Center to watch him play - just like he was when Ademola played for the North Carolina men's basketball team.

Okulaja still received a standing ovation as he got up from the UNC bench before the game to be introduced as a starting forward.

And Okulaja also got another first-hand look at former teammate Vince Carter's evolving high-wire act.

Okulaja's Philadelphia 76ers and Carter's Toronto Raptors met in Chapel Hill for an NBA exhibition game Monday, and the 76ers came out on top 107-98.

Okulaja scored 11 points, and former Tar Heel George Lynch added six for Philadelphia. Carter poured in 38 points for Toronto, including a wind-mill, alley-oop dunk with 7:42 left in the third quarter.

"I played three years with him," Okulaja said. "I'm like, `OK, next.' For me, it's like a regular thing."

Toronto's Charles Oakley and Philadelphia's Tyrone Hill were both ejected before the opening tip after Oakley slapped Hill in the back of the head.

Okulaja played the first 9:31 of the contest. He also played the first 5:51 of the second half.

Okulaja hit all four of his field-goal attempts and all three free throw attempts. He also grabbed seven boards.

"Antawn (Jamison) and I left early and left him here," Carter said. "It's tough for him because we weren't around. I'm just happy to see him out there playing, shooting the ball well."

Okulaja joined the 76ers during the summer and was invited to the team's veteran camp. He signed a contract

Oct. 2 that will go into effect if he makes the roster.

Okulaja, who played professionally for one year in Germany, said he needs to work on his ball handling and perimeter shooting to make it at the NBA level.

"I'm just trying to play with the big boys," Okulaja said.

Lynch has been there to make the transition smoother. Okulaja said Lynch has helped him from the day he arrived in Philadephia by providing rides to practice and a friend to hang out with afterward.

Said Okulaja, "He's helped me out a lot and just calmed me down."

The Sports Editor can be reached

at sports@unc.edu.